U.S. patent application number 17/572148 was filed with the patent office on 2022-04-28 for pex expansion tool.
The applicant listed for this patent is MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Ryan J. Denissen, Jacob K. Lindsey.
Application Number | 20220126504 17/572148 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-04-28 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20220126504 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lindsey; Jacob K. ; et
al. |
April 28, 2022 |
PEX EXPANSION TOOL
Abstract
An expansion tool includes a housing and an expansion head
having a casing and jaws. The jaws are movable between a closed
position and an expanded position relative to a longitudinal axis.
Each jaw includes a first tapered portion defining a first length
along the longitudinal axis, a first sizing portion extending
parallel to the longitudinal axis from the first tapered portion
and defining a second length along the longitudinal axis, a second
tapered portion defining a third length along the longitudinal
axis, and a second sizing portion extending parallel to the
longitudinal axis from the second tapered portion and defining a
fourth length along the longitudinal axis. The first sizing
portions define a first diameter and the second sizing portions
define a second diameter greater than the first diameter when the
jaws are in the closed position. The third length is greater than
the fourth length.
Inventors: |
Lindsey; Jacob K.;
(Milwaukee, WI) ; Denissen; Ryan J.; (Sussex,
WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION |
Brookfield |
WI |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/572148 |
Filed: |
January 10, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16566394 |
Sep 10, 2019 |
11220039 |
|
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17572148 |
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62736286 |
Sep 25, 2018 |
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International
Class: |
B29C 57/04 20060101
B29C057/04; B29D 23/00 20060101 B29D023/00; B29C 57/02 20060101
B29C057/02 |
Claims
1. An expansion tool comprising: a housing; an expansion head
coupled to the housing, the expansion head including a casing and a
plurality of jaws extending from the casing, the plurality of jaws
movable between a closed position and an expanded position relative
to a longitudinal axis, wherein each jaw of the plurality of jaws
includes a first tapered portion defining a first length along the
longitudinal axis, a first sizing portion extending parallel to the
longitudinal axis from the first tapered portion and defining a
second length along the longitudinal axis, a second tapered portion
defining a third length along the longitudinal axis, and a second
sizing portion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis from the
second tapered portion and defining a fourth length along the
longitudinal axis, wherein the first sizing portions of the
plurality of jaws collectively define a first diameter when the
plurality of jaws is in the closed position, wherein the second
sizing portions of the plurality of jaws collectively define a
second diameter greater than the first diameter when the plurality
of jaws is in the closed position, and wherein third length is
greater than the fourth length.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/566,394, filed Sep. 10, 2019, now U.S. Pat.
No. 11,220,039, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/736,286, filed Sep. 25, 2018, the entire content
of each of which is incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a tool for expanding pipe
and tubing. More particularly, the present invention relates to PEX
(cross-linked polyethylene) expansion tools.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] PEX tubing is commonly used in plumbing applications as a
substitute for copper pipe. PEX tubing can be coupled to fittings
in various ways. Crimp rings or clamp rings can be compressed on to
the outside of PEX tubing over a fitting to couple the PEX tubing
to the fitting. Alternatively, the PEX tube can be expanded and the
fitting inserted into the expanded end of the PEX tube. The PEX
tube elastically recovers around the fitting to form a tight
connection. Tools used to expand PEX tube for this purpose are
referred to as PEX expansion tools.
[0004] PEX tubing comes in a variety of different nominal diameters
or "sizes," with actual dimensions governed by standards, such as
ASTM F876. 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch are two commonly used sizes of PEX
tubing. Conventional PEX expansion tools are only compatible with a
single size of PEX tubing, and as such a different PEX expansion
tool must be used when working with a different size of PEX
tubing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present disclosure provides, in one aspect, an expansion
tool including a housing, an expansion head coupled to the housing.
The expansion head includes a casing and a plurality of jaws
extending from the casing. The plurality of jaws is movable between
a closed position and an expanded position relative to a
longitudinal axis. Each jaw of the plurality of jaws includes a
first tapered portion defining a first length along the
longitudinal axis, a first sizing portion extending parallel to the
longitudinal axis from the first tapered portion and defining a
second length along the longitudinal axis, a second tapered portion
defining a third length along the longitudinal axis, and a second
sizing portion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis from the
second tapered portion and defining a fourth length along the
longitudinal axis. The first sizing portions of the plurality of
jaws collectively define a first diameter when the plurality of
jaws is in the closed position, and the second sizing portions of
the plurality of jaws collectively define a second diameter greater
than the first diameter when the plurality of jaws is in the closed
position. The third length is greater than the fourth length.
[0006] The present disclosure provides, in another aspect, an
expansion tool including a housing and an expansion head coupled to
the housing. The expansion head includes a casing and a plurality
of jaws extending from the casing. The plurality of jaws is movable
between a closed position and an expanded position relative to a
longitudinal axis. Each jaw of the plurality of jaws includes a
first sizing portion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis
and a second sizing portion extending parallel to the longitudinal
axis. The first sizing portions of the plurality of jaws
collectively define a first diameter when the plurality of jaws is
in the closed position, the second sizing portions of the plurality
of jaws collectively define a second diameter when the plurality of
jaws is in the closed position, and the second diameter is greater
than the first diameter.
[0007] The present disclosure provides, in another aspect, an
expansion tool including a housing and an expansion head coupled to
the housing. The expansion head includes a casing and a plurality
of jaws extending from the casing. The plurality of jaws is movable
between a closed position and an expanded position relative to a
longitudinal axis. Each jaw of the plurality of jaws includes a
first tapered portion and a first sizing portion insertable into a
first tube of a first nominal size to expand the first tube, and
each jaw of the plurality of jaws includes a second tapered portion
and a second sizing portion insertable into a second tube of a
second nominal size to expand the second tube. The second nominal
size is greater than the first nominal size.
[0008] The present disclosure provides, in another aspect, an
expansion tool configured to expand tubing of a first nominal size
and tubing of a second nominal size greater than the first nominal
size. The expansion tool includes a housing and an expansion head
coupled to the housing. The expansion head includes a casing and a
plurality of jaws extending from the casing. The plurality of jaws
is movable between a closed position and an expanded position
relative to a longitudinal axis. Each jaw of the plurality of jaws
includes a first sizing portion corresponding to the first nominal
size and a second sizing portion corresponding to the second
nominal size such that the jaw has a stepped outer profile.
[0009] Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by
consideration of the detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a side view of an expansion tool according to one
embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in
FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an expansion head according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure that is usable with the
expansion tool of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a plurality of
jaws of the expansion head of FIG. 3 in an closed position.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the plurality of
jaws of FIG. 4 in an expanded position.
[0015] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement
of components set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an expansion tool 10 usable to expand PEX
tubing prior inserting a fitting. The expansion tool 10 includes a
housing 14 and an expansion head 18 coupled to the housing 14. With
reference to FIG. 2, the expansion head 18 includes a casing 22, a
plurality of jaws 26 extending from the casing 22, and a drive
mechanism 30 housed within the casing 22. The drive mechanism 30 is
configured to convert a rotational input (e.g., from a motor; not
shown) into expansion of the jaws 26.
[0017] In the illustrated embodiment, the drive mechanism 30
includes a spindle 34 reciprocable within the casing 22 along an
axis 38 in response to rotation of a cam 42, and wedge 46 coupled
to a distal end of the spindle 34 for axial movement therewith. The
wedge 46 is disposed within a space 50 defined by the inner sides
of the jaws 26. The jaws 26 are movable from an initial or closed
position (illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2) toward an expanded position
(not shown) in response to movement of the spindle 34 and the wedge
46 toward the jaws 26 along the axis 38. The jaws 26 may be biased
toward the closed position by a spring, such that the jaws 26
return to the closed position when the spindle 34 and the wedge 46
retract. In some embodiments, the spindle 34, the wedge 46, and/or
the jaws 26 may be configured to rotate about the axis 38 before,
during, or after expansion of the jaws 26. Additional details of
the expansion tool 10 are described and illustrated in U.S. Pat.
No. 8,763,439 to Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, the entire
content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates an expansion head 118 according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure. The expansion head 118 is
usable with the expansion tool 10 described above with reference to
FIGS. 1 and 2, for example (i.e. in place of the expansion head
18). Alternatively, the expansion head 118 may be incorporated into
other power tools or hand tools.
[0019] The illustrated expansion head 118 includes a casing 122, a
plurality of jaws 126 extending from the casing 122, and a drive
mechanism (not shown) housed within the casing 122. The drive
mechanism may be the same as the drive mechanism described above
with reference to FIG. 2; however, other drive mechanisms may be
used. The drive mechanism is configured to reciprocate the jaws 126
between an initial or closed position (FIGS. 3 and 4) and an
expanded position (FIG. 5). In the expanded position, the jaws 126
are pushed radially outward from a longitudinal axis 138 of the
expansion head 118 by the drive mechanism.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the jaws 126 includes an
exterior side with a first tapered portion 140 defining a first
length L1 along the axis 38, a first sizing portion 144 adjacent
the first tapered portion 140 and defining a second length L2 along
the axis 38, a second tapered portion 148 defining a third length
L3 along the axis 38, and a second sizing portion 152 adjacent the
second tapered portion 148 and defining a fourth length L4 along
the axis 38. As shown in FIG. 4, the second length L2 is greater
than the first length L1, and the fourth length L4 is greater than
the third length L3. The first tapered portion 140 and the second
tapered portion 148 extend obliquely relative to the longitudinal
axis 138, and the first sizing portion 144 and the second sizing
portion 152 extend substantially parallel with the longitudinal
axis 138. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the jaws 126
includes a first shoulder 156 between the first sizing portion 144
and the second tapered portion 148. Each of the jaws 126 also
includes a second shoulder 160 defining an end of the second sizing
portion 152 opposite the second tapered portion 148.
[0021] The first sizing portions 144 of each of the jaws 126
collectively define a first diameter or maximum cross-sectional
dimension D1 when the jaws 126 are in the closed position, and the
second sizing portions 152 of each of the jaws 126 collectively
define a second diameter or maximum cross-sectional dimension D2
when the jaws 126 are in the closed position. The second dimension
D2 is greater than the first dimension D1, such that the jaws 126
have a stepped outer profile. In the illustrated embodiment, the
first dimension D1 is sized for proper expansion of PEX tubing of a
first nominal size when the jaws 126 are inserted into an end of
the PEX tubing, and the second dimension D2 is sized for proper
expansion of PEX tubing of a second, greater nominal size when the
jaws 126 are inserted into an end of the PEX tubing. In this way,
the diameter D1 of the first sizing portions 144 corresponds to the
first nominal size, and the diameter D2 of the second sizing
portions 152 corresponds to the second nominal size.
[0022] In some embodiments, the first nominal size is 1/2-inch, and
the second nominal size is 3/4-inch. As such, the second nominal
size may be about 50% greater than the first nominal size. In such
embodiments, the second dimension D2 may also be about 50% greater
than the first dimension D1. However, the first dimension D1 and
the second dimension D2 may be configured for proper expansion of
PEX tubing of other nominal sizes.
[0023] In use, to expand 1/2'' PEX tubing, for example, the first
tapered portions 140 of the jaws 126 are inserted into an end of
the PEX tubing and expanded radially outwardly. The drive mechanism
reciprocates the jaws 126 between the closed (FIG. 4) and expanded
positions (FIG. 5), which gradually expands the end of the tubing.
As the tubing expands, the operator pushes the jaws 126 deeper into
the tubing until the first sizing portions 144 are received within
the tubing, and the end of the tubing abuts the first shoulder 156.
This indicates to the operator that expansion is complete. The jaws
126 can then be withdrawn from the tubing, and the operator inserts
a fitting into the end of the tubing. The tubing then elastically
recovers and secures the fitting in place.
[0024] To expand 3/4'' PEX tubing, the jaws 126 are inserted into
the end of the tubing until the second tapered portions 148 engage
the inside of the tubing. As such, the first tapered portions 140,
the first sizing portions 144, and the first shoulder 156 are
inserted completely into the tubing. The drive mechanism
reciprocates the jaws 126 between the closed and expanded
positions, which gradually expands the end of the tubing. As the
tubing expands, the operator pushes the jaws 126 deeper into the
tubing until the second sizing portions 152 are received within the
tubing, and the end of the tubing abuts the second shoulder 160.
This indicates to the operator that expansion is complete. The jaws
126 can then be withdrawn from the tubing, and the operator inserts
a fitting into the end of the tubing. The tubing then elastically
recovers and secures the fitting in place.
[0025] Thus, the present disclosure provides an expansion head for
a PEX expansion tool capable of expanding multiple sizes of PEX
tubing without modifying or replacing any components of the
expansion head. This advantageously improves versatility and
efficiency of the PEX expansion tool.
[0026] Various features and aspects of the invention are set forth
in the following claims.
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